Gypsy
Gypsy by Polish Painter Wladyslaw Theodor Benda (1873 – 1948); illustrator and designer
Gypsy is an intriguing and beautiful portrait of a mysterious looking raven haired beauty wearing an orange kerchief that covers most of her has, as she looks down toward the ground over her left should, staring at something.
This is a retouched digital art old masters reproduction of a public domain image that is available online as a rolled canvas print.
Info Below Derived From Wikipedia.org
Wladyslaw was the son of a musician Jan Szymon Benda, and the nephew of actress Helena Modrzejewska (1840 – 1909), who was known in the Untied States as Helena Modjeska.
He began his artistic studies at the Kraków College of Technology and Art in Poland and then at the School of Fine Arts in Vienna Austria.
In 1899 he came to California in the United States to visit is Aunt Helena Modrzejewska, and stayed with her till 1902 when he moved to New York City to attend the Art Students League of New York and the William Merritt Chase School; studing under American Painter Robert Henri (1865 – 1929) and American Illustrator Edward Penfield (1866 – 1925); then remaining in the U.S. for the remainder of his life.
Wladyslaw career begins in 1905 as a graphic artist, illustration books, short stories, ad copy and magazine covers for various publications including: Collier’s, McCall’s, Ladies’ Home Journal, Good Housekeeping and Theatre Magazine to name a few.
In the industry Wladyslaw was regarded as the go to artist for his artistic skill and dependability and was as well known at the time as Norman Rockwell (1894 – 1978), Newell Convers Wyeth (1882 – 1945) and Maxfield Parrish (1870 – 1966).
In 1907 Wladyslaw became a member of the Society of Illustrators; then four years later in 1911 became a naturalized American Citizen; and in 1916 joined the Architectural League.
Wladyslaw was very proud of his Polish heritage and thus became associated with the Polish-American Cultural Institution, and The Kosciuszko Foundation; and during both World Wars designed many posters for both Poland and the United States.
Following the second World Was the Polish Government awarded Wladyslaw with the Order of Polonia Restituta Medal – It is confered upon both military, civilians and foreigners for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sports, culture, the arts, economics, national defense, social work, civil service, or for furthering good relations between countries.